Scholarship Process 2017

LAST YEAR’S WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT THE 2012 SOUL TRAIN MUSIC AWARDS RED CARPET PRE-SHOW

Step 1: Apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Start your application for undergraduate admissions by September 1^st and submit all of the required materials by October 15, 2013. This includes the application, written statements, official transcripts, and scores from the ACT or SAT. Remember that you must be an admitted freshman to the university to be eligible for the scholarship. As a First Wave applicant, one letter of recommendation is required. Students will be notified of admission decisions no later than October 18, 2013.

Step 2: Gather Samples of Your Work , Get One Letter of Recommendation, and Prepare First Wave Essay Questions for Scholarship Eligibility

Top candidates should be prepared to submit artistic samples, one letter of recommendation and essay questions by Friday, October 22, 2013. Further details, including where to submit your First Wave application requirements, will be included along with the admission letter that will be posted by Saturday, October 18, 2013. Generic admission letter will appear in Student Center. This should appear in initial e-mail sent to students so that they can prepare their samples prior to receiving an admission letter, since there is potentially only a 6 day window from when some students would receive notice of admission & when the materials are due.

Outline of First Wave Application Requirements:

Three Samples of Work: Electronic files are required. YouTube is perfectly fine. Please limit samples of work to no longer then five minutes.
- Poets and Emcees – please submit one written sample and one performance sample. The third sample format and genre is the choice of each applicant.
- Visual Artists and Producers – please submit two .jpeg or mp3files. The third sample format and genre is the choice of each applicant.
- Dancers – Please submit two solo performance samples. The third sample format and genre is the choice of each applicant.
One Letter of Recommendation: Solicit one letter of recommendation from an adult coach, teacher or mentor, etc. who can speak to your artistic merit, work ethic, and suitability for the First Wave Program.
First Wave Short Essay Questions
1. Describe your artistic evolution (what you do, how you started, and how you have grown with your art)
2. Tell how First Wave might influence your future (what would you expect to learn and hope to build)
3. Give an example of your leadership experience (a proud moment at school or in the community)
4. Share your other extracurricular activities or program initiatives (the one/s of importance to you)

Step 3: Learn about First Wave

The First Wave Hip Hop and Urban Arts Learning Community is the first university program in the country centered on urban arts and hip hop culture.

Learn how this program attracts, transforms, and inspires young artists from around the country. Imagine bringing your experiences and talents to the table. You will work with the top, talented peers from across the country to create artistic works that cross disciplines, and push your craft to a whole new level.

First Wave students have performed on BET, at the National Battle of the Bands, on Broadway and across the world.

First Wave students and Alumni have received jobs and internships from the United States Embassy, The New York Knicks, Harlem Children’s Zone, Teach For America, Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam, and many more groundbreaking institutions.

First Wave students have swag. Some students have their own clothing lines and one student, Jasmine Mans, is the poet representative for Ralph Lauren.

First Wave students are published authors, nationally renowned and internationally ranked poets, rappers making noise on the underground, community organizers, and so much more.

First Wave is a cutting-edge multicultural artistic program for incoming students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Administered by the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives (OMAI), and with the support of affiliated faculty, staff, and artists, First Wave students:

Develop their craft as part of a high-level artistic community alongside faculty, staff, and nationally renowned spoken word and hip hop artists
Pursue their academic and career goals by studying fields that merge their artistic interests with professional development
Engage the community in creative service-learning projects that combine multicultural arts and activism
Showcase their talents around the campus, city, country and globe as part of the First Wave Hip Hop Theater Ensemble

Step 4: Don’t Forget . . . And Tell a Friend

Remember these dates:

September 1, 2013: Apply in time…
The UW-Madison admissions application becomes available.
October 15, 2013: Make the cut…
Deadline to submit UW-Madison application for admission to qualify for MC Lyte/UW-Madison First Wave Scholarship.
October 18, 2013 Admissions Notification…

Find out if you’re a part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Class of 2014

October 22, 2013: Be prepared…
Deadline to submit required materials for First Wave Program
- Three performance samples
- One letter of recommendation
- First Wave short essay question
November 2013: And the winner is…
MC Lyte will reveal the lucky winner.
Now that you’re ready to apply, don’t forget to tell a friend!